Australia face potential WTC point deduction and fine for slow over rate

Australia's misery could be about to go from bad to worse after their shock loss to Bangladesh in the first cricket Test in Darwin, after they fell short of their required over-rate while bowling. Bangladesh secured a famous nine-wicket victory on day four on Sunday, handing Australia one of its worst losses in 149 years of playing Test cricket.

But the situation appears likely to worsen for the hosts after they broke the rules around the speed of play. Pat Cummins and the Australians only bowled 86 overs on Saturday's third day - four overs short of the minimum requirement of 90.

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Under ICC rules, teams are required to bowl 15 overs per hour during a day of Test cricket, which should usually equate to 90 altogether. But the Aussies fell four short on Saturday and could face sanctions from the ICC as a result.

The governing body has the power to strip teams of World Test Championship (WTC) points for every over they're short, as well as hitting the players with fines. The ICC can fine the players five per cent of their match payment for every over that didn't get bowled.

Because the Aussies are paid $20,000 for every Test match, all 11 players would each be facing a fine of $4000 (and $44,000 all up). Because they were four overs short, they could also lose four points in the World Test Championship standings.

Australia are currently first on the table with 84 points and a 77.78 win percentage. The deduction would take them down to 80 points, however it wouldn't affect their win percentage (which is the ultimate determinator of placings).

South Africa are currently second on 36 points and a 75 win percentage, while Bangladesh have climbed up to fourth on 40 points and 66.67 per cent. Bangladesh were also well below the required over-rate in the first innings, but will escape sanctions because they bowled Australia out in 53 overs.

The ICC rules state that sanctions don't apply if a team doesn't bat at least 80 overs, or are bowled out twice in a match for a fewer than 160 overs combined. The rule saved Australia multiple times during last summer's Ashes series, but not this time.

Bangladesh batted 138 overs in the first innings, meaning Australia are at risk of being punished. The match referee will take into account factors like the hot weather and the fall of wickets before determining whether the Aussies will face sanctions.

Australia infamously missed out on the WTC final in 2021 due to a four-point deduction from slower over-rates during the Boxing Day Test in 2020.